Peer Specialist – Community Crisis Stabilization

Riverside Community Care; Upton (MA); On-site; USD 68,880,000 - 74,390,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

403(b) retirement with employer match

Paid holidays

Vacation & sick time

Job summary

Riverside Community Care in Massachusetts is seeking a Peer Specialist for our Community Crisis Stabilization program. You will draw on lived experience to support individuals through intake, planning, and discharge, promoting recovery and access to community resources.

This full-time role involves leading peer groups, advocating across services, and coordinating with team members. Strong communication, organization, and a valid driver's license are required; certification as a Peer Specialist

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Basic computer fluency (Microsoft Office).
• Certified Peer Specialist or certification within 6–12 months of hire.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle access.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Certification as Peer Specialist preferred; must begin certification if hired without.

Responsibilities

• Assists individuals in understanding benefits and challenges of their mental health condition.
• Guides individuals through recovery by explaining stages and goals to team members.
• Provides advocacy, support, and education during screening, assessment and transition processes.
• Coordinates and leads informal groups related to peer-support, recovery, resiliency and resources.

Skills

Excellent communication

Organizational skills

MS Office

Certified Peer Specialist

Driver's license

Education

High school diploma

Peer Specialist certification preferred

Job description

Riverside Community Care

Love what you do!

Seeking a Peer Specialist for our Community Crisis Stabilization

Peer Specialists help to make Community Crisis Stabilization (CCS) services welcoming, comfortable, supportive, and responsive to individuals who utilize them within the residential and community program. Using their personal experience and knowledge of navigating the greater system of care, Peer Specialists provide people served with support, information, and assistance in connecting with and obtaining community-based resources and services throughout the program intake, Action Planning process, and the course of treatment and discharge.

In this vital role, the Peer Specialist will:

• Assists individuals in learning to understand the benefits and challenges of their mental health condition.
• Guides individuals using services through their recovery process by understanding stages of recovery and role of the recovery specialist at each stage and assisting individuals to communicate the goals of their personal recovery action plans to other ream members
• Provides advocacy, support, and education during the screening, assessment and transition processes; across the spectrum and duration of CCS services; and during transition to independence and discharge.
• Coordinates and leads informal groups related to peer-support, recovery, resiliency and resources

All Peer Specialist staff will receive training in recovery-focused peer support for Substance Use Disorders (SUD), who shall assist in interventions with individuals/families presenting in crisis due to substance use disorders. They will support explanation of the process to access services, availability of self-help resources, and provide follow-up for those who may or may not be ready to accept help at the time of initial contact.

Schedule: Full Time - 40 hours per week

• Monday through Friday
• 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. or 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Pay: $21.21/hourly

• additional $1 for CPS
• additional $2 for CARC

Why You’ll Love Riverside We make a true difference in people’s lives through rewarding work. Most of our jobs come with great benefits - including healthcare, numerous professional development opportunities, and generous time off - all in a respectful and inclusive environment, perhaps why Riverside was named a Boston Globe Top Workplace and a best-in-state employer by Forbes.

Benefits include:

• Comprehensive, high-quality health, dental, and vision insurance options
• Flexible Spending Accounts - both medical and dependent care
• Eleven paid holidays
• Separate accruals for vacation (increases with tenure), personal, and sick time
• Tax-deferred 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer match
• Employee Assistance Plan / Travel Assistance Plan
• Employee bonus for referrals resulting in hiring
• Discounts to movie theaters, sporting, and entertainment events
• Employee YMCA discount: 10% off a YMCA monthly membership and 50% off the joiner's fee

Learn more about our benefits and culture:

Our Benefits

Our Culture

Hear what employees think about working for Riverside!

Required Skills

• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Basic computer fluency (including Microsoft Office)
• Must be a Certified Peer Specialist or obtain certification as a Peer Specialist within 6 months-1 year of hire
• Valid driver’s license, safe driving record, and regular access to a reliable vehicle

Required Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Certification as a Peer Specialist preferred; must immediately begin and diligently work toward certification process if hired without certification

Riverside Community Care is dedicated to respect, integrity and engagement of all individuals. We are committed to building an inclusive and culturally competent organization and we value the richness of having a diverse applicant pool. As an employer committed to equal opportunity, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic as established by law.